Top 20 Modern Art Innovations in 2007 (GALLERY)

These were the 20 most popular Modern Art Innovations in 2007, based on our traffic statistics.  If you have a something you’d like to submit to our Modern Art category, you should Join FREE and start building a Trend Hunter portfolio.

If you’re looking for more research based on our database of more than 10,000 trends, check out our 2008 Trend Report, CLUSTERS OF INSPIRATION.

Top 20 Modern Art Innovations

1. 3D Illusion Chalk Drawings (GALLERY)

(thischick) Julian Beever is a chalk artist in the U.K. who specializes in three dimensional optical illusions. They are fantastic and very cool works of art. I had to do a double-take on some of his work as it was hard to believe the drawing was not real. He has a website full of his other works, so go on over… [More]

2. Banksy Launches Website - Has the World’s Most Controversial Graffiti Artist Gone Mainstream? (GALLERY)

(Jeremy Gutsche) Banksy, the world’s most famous (and elusive) graffiti artist, has launched a website.  The site showcases his work and provides advice for creating your own graffiti.  For example, Banksy notes, “Be aware that going on a major mission totally drunk out of your head will result in some truly specta… [More]

3. Bracelet Mobile Phone - The Liteon Concept (GALLERY)

(thischick) The Liteon concept cell phone by Tao Ma is a stylish bracelet as well as a phone. While it is asthetically-pleasing, I rate it a zero on the functionality meter. Traditionally, a clasp bracelet such as this one can be difficult to remove. If you were in a hurry to answer this phone, you might not be… [More]

4. Great Wall of China Fashion Show - Fendi Walks the Wall (GALLERY)

(Gisela Jimenez Lee) In a magnificent display of lights, models and of course, amazing clothes, Fendi presented its new collection in a fashion show on the Great Wall of China.

Making an appearance on the makeshift runway, right when the last rays of light were welcoming the guests, models in luxurious clothes took to… [More]

5. Human Branding - The New Tattoo (VIDEO)

(Bianca Bartz) Now that tattoos can be removed through laser surgery, people wanting to permanently modify their bodies are turning to branding. Using an ultra-hot iron, people are literally sizzling their skin to create burns so deep, the scars will remain for life.

“Human branding has become the latest twisted… [More]

6. L.A.S.E.R. Tag - Laser Makes Every Building A Billboard (VIDEO)

(Chris Skleryk) Graffiti Research Lab’s Laser tag system brings ‘Tagging’ out of a can and into the high-tech world we live in. GRL unleashed their system in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and is encouraging surrounding artists to get learn about this high-tech tagging machine. GRL is even offering a ‘How-To’ on… [More]

7. Lego Art - The Work of Nathan Sawaya (GALLERY)

(thischick) Nathan Sawaya is a New York city Lego artist. Whatever you can dream up he can build it. His website features a huge assortment of his works, but by far his best pieces are his human sculptures. They have a movement and reality that would be hard for any artist to capture, and he has managed to capt… [More]

8. Realistic Cartoon Characters - The Simpsons Get Updated

(Alex Cove) A Canadian Artist calling herself Space Coyote created this awesome rendition of the classic Simpsons cartoon. Entitled The Simpsonzu, this drawing landed the artist a few job offers. Compare it to the original piece. If you like this one, go to Space Coyote’s web site where you can buy some of her … [More]

9. Huge Kinetic Sculptures Walk in the Wind - Artist Theo Jansen (VIDEO)

(Jeremy Gutsche) Artist Theo Jansen has spent ten years of his life making huge skeleton structures which are able to walk in the wind.  Eventually, he wants these animals to live their own life walking on beaches.  In this video, Theo Jansen is featured in a BMW Innovation commercial. [More]

10. Clara Collins - Innovative Online Catalog Proves Fashion is Art (GALLERY)

(Juan Carlos Bonilla) Parisian designer Clara Collins has released her latest collection using an innovative online catalog that proves fashion is really just art.

Today the advertising through internet is changing.  The Clara Collins fashion collection is a sample of how sophisticated technology can represent something… [More]

11. VW Bus Ball - ZZ Top Guitarist Makes Ball Art From a Real VW

(Jeremy Gutsche) Just when you got all excited about buying a VW Bus Ball, I have to reveal to you that it’s not too safe as a means of travel.  Sorry.  But hey, the VW Bus Ball is a unique piece of modern art that also makes a great converstaion piece.

The VW Bus Ball was made by artist Billy F Gibbons, best known… [More]

12. Dirty Car Art - Artist Goes Well Beyond Writing ‘Clean Me’ (VIDEO)

(Em Rocks) Scott Wade is an artist who “just can’t resist a dirty rear window.” He creates amazing works of art using dirty cars as his canvas.  In short, he goes well beyond writing “Clean Me”. [More]

13. Sun Tattoos - Tanning a Pattern of Art on Your Body

(Jeremy Gutsche) Your body is a canvas, so why not let the sun paint a patterned tan on that canvas?  Designer Yu-Chiao Wang has developed a concept called the sun tattoo.  She describes: “Sun Tattoo is a soft stencil which can be used for making the tattoo pattern on the skin by sunshine. It’s better to use it with… [More]

14. Hautlence HLs Watches (GALLERY)

(Jeremy Gutsche) Hautlence has released a new watch line which significantly depart from traditional watch design.  Hautlence describes the movement, “Due to an instinctive means of telling time, this unique timepiece displays civil time thanks to the use of jumping hours and retrograde minutes. The jumping hour of … [More]

15. Espresso Art (VIDEO)

(Cool Hunter) In this video, we learn how carefully pouring can result in espresso art.  In fact, the NY Times even ran a story on espresso art, citing, “If you take milk, it will be steamed to order just for your drink — a top-quality cafe never uses the same milk twice. And it will be poured to create a patte… [More]

16. Adhesive Art - Temporary Wall Decor

(Bianca Bartz) Need a splash of colour at home, but afraid to commit to paints? Then it sounds like it’s time for some adhesive decals for you wall.

A trend gaining popularity among apartment renters, the computer graphic inspired artwork adheres to smooth surfaces like walls without leaving holes or tearing o… [More]

17. Sweets, Sex & Sarcasm - Johnny Cupcakes T-Shirts (GALLERY)

(Alex Cove) Johnny Cupcakes is a one-man brand based on sweets, sex, and sarcasm as these pics demonstrate. The t-shirts command a pretty penny (around $35) because every one is limited edition and collectible. The shirts poke fun at pop culture icons and replace familiar items with cupcakes. If you buy a tee a… [More]

18. 500 Years of Art in a Few Minutes - Teaching Art History Through Morphing Technology (VIDEO)

(Kyla Legard) Whether you’re lazy or just strapped for cash, this lightening--and enlightening--tour of 500 years of women in Western art is the new approach to art history.  Traditional art historians may shudder at this innovative trend, but, heh, if it gets more people interested in art than that’s a good thin… [More]

19. Geek Graffiti

(Michael Marucci) Remember Nerd Art Paintings?  Well, now we have Geek Graffiti, proving that vintage Nintendo games never lose their cool.  Even in the graffiti counter-culture there’s always room for retro pixels. [More]

20. Paper Sculptures as Art - Richard Sweeney (GALLERY)

(annaOMline) Simple paper can be used to create really original paper sculptures, a clear example of this is the work of English artist Richard Sweeney who creates amazing artwork pieces through the cutting, scoring and folding of paper. [More]